GreenChoices

Holiday companies

Holidays are big business but can be beneficial to the host countries. The impact of flying and of tourism on host countries is significant but much can be done to reduce their effect.

Tourism Concern is a membership organisation that fights exploitation in tourism and promotes responsible tourism. Their website provides a good introduction to the issues, which  they research, and their campaigns.  They publish the "Ethical Travel Guide" which lists places to visit and stay in over 60 countries and other useful resources.

The Ecofriendly Tourist website provides lots of ideas, inspiration and useful information. Sections include: no fly zone (travelling other than by air), fly smart, volunteering, UK holidays and eco-friendly tour operators.

The following listings do not attempt to be complete, nor does GreenChoices vouch for their green/ethical credentials, but they are intended to provide a starting point.

Listings of tour operators

• Greenstop.Net, listings of companies and places to stay who are doing their bit to promote best environmental practice.

• Association of Independent Tour Operators represents specialist and smaller tour operators. Their website includes a database searchable by country and type of holiday - one option is 'wildlife and nature' which has subthemes including, for example 'polar bear watching' or 'dragon watching'!

• Special Places to Stay publish guides to small, independent and family-run hotels, inns and B&Bs across Europe, all chosen with environmental and ethical concerns in mind, and a guide to "Green Places to Stay". Partner services available through their websites include ferry and train tickets, travel insurance and other holiday essentials.
  

Vegetarian/organic holidays

• Organic Holidays: accommodation in the UK and worldwide serving organic produce.

• Vegetarian Vacations - The Veggie Tours Directory: Worldwide directory of tours, holidays and courses with vegetarian or vegan food.
  

Working holidays

• British Trust for Conservation Volunteers operates working holidays both in Britain and overseas.

• Earthwatch volunteers assist scientists on environmental projects.

• Ecovolunteer provide educational and enjoyable wildlife holidays in the company of like-minded people.

• The Global Volunteer Network offers volunteer service opportunities in community projects throughout the world. They currently provide volunteer programmes through their partner organizations in 20 countries.

• World-Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms provides links to organic farms who may welcome volunteer help.

Specific tour operators

• Bicycle Beano Cycling Holidays explore the peaceful lanes of the Pembrokeshire Coast and Snowdonia national parks, the Welsh Borders, the Vale of the White Horse, and the South Downs. Price includes accommodation with vegetarian breakfasts and dinners, often using organic and/or fairtrade ingredients, route maps and support.

• Discovery Initiatives offer a range of unique nature and wildlife based safaris, study tours and research expeditions, worldwide.

• La Brande is a new ecotourist business with a woodland & wildlife holiday course programme in France.

• Nature Travels specialises in responsible outdoor and wildlife experiences in Sweden.

• Strand Travel specialise in voyages on passenger carrying cargo vessels and have a dedicated team of specialists who have established strong connections with the world’s shipping lines.

• Tribes offers holidays and safaris run on fair trade and responsible travel principles.

• Wildlife Travel was set up by the Wildlife Trusts to promote good practice in ecotourism and to support conservation and organises holidays combining wildlife, conservation and cultural aspects.

• WildWings are a leading wildlife tour operator and specialist travel agency who operate bird-watching, whale and dolphin watching plus mammal watching holidays worldwide. They also specialise in expedition cruising to the Antarctic and The Arctic and are UK agents for Ecovolunteers, working wildlife conservation holidays.